Art Deco

[John Cote]

There seems to be increasing interest in the so called "Art Deco" wristies from the first part of the 20th century. Way back when I started collecting people were wearing these and the prices were decent. Then bigger and rounder watches came into vogue and these became much less popular. Now there are social media groups set up to show these off and you sometimes see them on wrists again.

Anyway, here are Rose and Stella...the Bulova sisters.

 

[Hawk53]

I have some of those and more!

 

[Bryan Eyring]

I remember being able to buy these by the flat-load back in the 90's for $5 apiece. I'd clean em' up and flip them for 10 to 20.
Now I can't even buy a decent 15mm band for $5!

 

[PatH]

It would be great to see additional examples of Art Deco style wrist watches. Not only are the watches great, the artwork in the Deco era ads is amazing, too.

 

[Bernhard J.]

OK, here you go. Bought when nobody wanted these. In the 90s, if I recall correctly.

 

[Bernhard J.]

And another one, but round (and small).

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Here is an Illinois "Commodore" (or "Biltmore"? - mine has 17 jewels).

 

[Jerry Treiman]

I think this really has the Art Deco flavor, but preceded the identified era by several years. This has a 10-ligne Waltham movement in a ca. 1911 gold and enamel case.

 

[Hawk53]

and to carry on......

 

[PatH]

I think this really has the Art Deco flavor, but preceded the identified era by several years. This has a 10-ligne Waltham movement in a ca. 1911 gold and enamel case.
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This one takes "exploded/exploding dial" to an entirely new level!! Amazing watch - thanks for sharing it.

 

[Dadistic]

and to carry on......

View attachment 728031

Reminds me a bit of the Hamilton Piping Rock. Very cool.

 

[Peter John]

Decided to repair this movmt and discovered the complete pallet fork is missing? Bummer

 

[John Cote]

I looked through a bunch of drawers to see if I had a junk movement like this from which you might salvage a pallet fork...but alas no luck.

 

[Bernhard J.]

and to carry on......

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I really love this design, it is called "Piping Rock", correct?

Cheers, Bernhard

 

[John Cote]

I really love this design, it is called "Piping Rock", correct

Bernhard, it is like a Piping Rock but a Piping Rock is slightly different and is a Hamilton. This is a picture of a Piping Rock which I unfortunately sold a few years ago...

 

[PatH]

Not to derail the art deco thread, but rather to add a little background about watches during this period.... From what I've read, Piping Rock has been produced during a couple of different time frames, with different movements. IIRC, the first was late 20s-early 30s, so definitely art deco era. When reading Hamilton's Timely Topics employee newsletter (available to NAWCC members here ), as well as other period publications, I find it interesting to see how many Hamilton watches were awarded to sports teams to celebrate their achievements through the years - some well-known, many not so much. Here's one well-known example from Hodinkee.

Found: Lou Gehrig's 1928 World Series Hamilton "Piping Rock" For Sale

Many Hamilton watch collectors believe that the Piping Rock is the pinnacle of the company’s watch-making and design. Some even consider the Piping Rock to be the quintessential American wristwatch. With strong Art Deco influences, these watches feature hinged lugs and a black enamel bezel...

www.hodinkee.com

 

[Hawk53]

No Bernhard, not a Piping Rock, though I can't recall the correct name at present
(old age and bad memory) but here's a similar design that I wear daily......

1953 Air King

 

[TobyT]

I think this really has the Art Deco flavor, but preceded the identified era by several years. This has a 10-ligne Waltham movement in a ca. 1911 gold and enamel case.
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Hi what period do you think this watch may be? earlier than the 1920's? as in my opinion this is so American Art deco and if it is earlier it would make it pretty special in the Art Deco movement, i deal in Art Deco furniture myself for around 15 years and have a bit of an obsession with it, the earliest full art deco item i have found is 1919 and French where it all started, you can see my everchanging collection of art deco furniture here

 

[Jerry Treiman]

TobyT - as noted, my wristwatch is from about 1911. The case was made for Waltham by H.W. Matalene who, I believe, was a pioneer in the Art Deco movement in the U.S.
For more Art Deco watches check out this thread - https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/art-deco-pocket-watches.171644
I show a few more of Matalene's cases in post #6 of that thread.

 

[Roy Gardner]

Wed 09Nov2022
Inspired by an article on the Gruen Falcon wristwatch and a relative's 1927 Illinois wristwatch, I got this 1936 Elgin in early 2018:

I don't know a model name for it. The movement is grade 524, 17 jewels, with no decorations.

 

[Roy Gardner]

Here are photos of the above-mentioned 1927 Illinois:

It has 15 jewels and a 14K white gold-filled Keystone case. Note the too-wide 18 mm Kaufmann / Sellier replacement strap between the 16 mm lugs. The watch appears on p. 865 of the 2011 Complete Price Guide to Watches No. 31.

 

[Roy Gardner]

It occurs to me that the 1927 Illinois is a transitional piece between art nouveau and art deco rather than just art deco.

 

[Incroyable]

Did anyone collect the cream of the crop Art Deco watches back then?

Like the 1920s platinum Breguet wristwatches and John Schaeffer Audemars Piguets? Haas Neveux/Niton jump hour wristwatches?

 

[John Cote]

Did anyone collect the cream of the crop Art Deco watches back then?

Like the 1920s platinum Breguet wristwatches and John Schaeffer Audemars Piguets? Haas Neveux/Niton jump hour wristwatches?

I think some smart and astute folk did. Don't forget Cartier which is so hot right now that you can't touch them.

 

[noelekal]

A good thread of fun to wear watches.

Here is a 14kt solid gold Glycine and a 10 kt gold filled Bulova to add to the watches featured in this thread.

I'm guessing that the Glycine is late 1940s and the Bulova is early 1950s.